Passionate Saudi prince set to buy French club
A self-confessed lover of “sport and money”, millionaire Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad is about to become the owner of humble French second division club Chateauroux.
Already the owner of Premier League strugglers Sheffield United, Beerschot in Belgium, India’s Kerala United and Al Hilal United in the UAE, the 56-year-old will soon have a new team in his portfolio.
“We have been interested in Chateauroux for some time, and negotiations have taken a long time,” Prince Abdullah told AFP in a Zoom interview.
“The club’s position in the second division table is now very difficult, but I am optimistic about its future.”
Chateauroux are currently bottom of the French second division with just four wins all season in 28 games.
The prince, who once held the sports portfolio in the Saudi cabinet, has given the green light for the purchase of the club to his company United World.
“I love sport and money,” added the man whose personal fortune is estimated at 200 million euros ($240 million).
“When I invested in England and Belgium, I was happy. But for France, I have a special feeling because it’s a country that reminds me of childhood.
“My memories are numerous and my brother (the prince) Abdulrahman was born there.
“I know that Chateauroux is not far from Paris (about 270 kilometres), another reason to please me when I am in France, besides the restaurants, the cafes and walks in beautiful Paris.”
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French media have estimated that the Chateauroux club will be bought for around 2.8 million euros, a bargain basement price in global football economics.
“I think the amount is higher but I do not want to divulge it”, said Abdullah of a club staring at relegation after four seasons in the second tier.